Betty Callaway

Betty Rives Allen Callaway, 86, of Selma, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Cedar Hill at Vaughn Place. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. George Wood officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Visitation in the Warren Room at the church will begin at 1:00 p.m. preceding the service.

Ms. Callaway was born January 17, 1928 in Selma to Mr. Vickers Rives and Mrs. Caroline Young Allen. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sons, Vickers Allen Callaway and James Alison Callaway. She is survived by her son, John Furniss Callaway, Jr. (Teresa) of Sylacauga; sister, Mrs. William James Samford (Nell) of Opelika; grandchildren Rachel Callaway Holt (Sam) of Alpharetta, Ga., Michael John Callaway of Birmingham and Clare Callaway Kranz (Steven) of Dallas, Tx.; great-grandchild, Grant Samuel Holt, Mrs. Vickers Allen Callaway (Marilyn) of Selma and grandchildren Caroline Callaway Swift (Will) of Atlanta, Ga., Vickers Allen Callaway, Jr. of Tuscaloosa and William Benjamin Callaway (Allison) of Atlanta, Ga;

Betty graduated from Parrish High School in 1946 and attended Alabama College (now The University of Montevallo). She married a year later and then reared their three sons while working in several local businesses: as a receptionist for two different medical practices, the social editor for the Selma-Times journal for a number of years and then in a local bank. Ms. Callaway was selected to run the local office for Congressman Bill Nichols in 1970 and then assisted four more representatives, including the now Senator, Richard Shelby, during her 25 years of service. Meanwhile, she worked part-time at Butler-Truax Jewelers for 30 years, was a Doncaster Fashions consultant and an active community volunteer. Upon retirement, Betty moved to Fairhope and lived there for 13 years.

Upon her return to Selma, Betty thoroughly enjoyed living at Cedar Hill. She was an eager participant in their many activities, and members of the staff became family friends. When her illness became difficult for her to handle alone, they gave her loving care. The Cahaba Hospice staff provided expert, compassionate, and tender care during her final weeks. The family is so very grateful to both.

Betty will be remembered as a true southern lady and as an active, soft and loving presence in many lives. Selma is better for having been touched by her. She encouraged, motivated, cherished; and yes, corrected, her own and the children of her friends and relatives, all while calling them 'darling'. They have wonderful "Betty stories" to share and to fondly remember. She never met a stranger, always wore red lipstick, had a stack of gold bracelets on her wrist, sported huge glasses on her smiling face, and made sure her grandchildren knew their table manners. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family request you consider making memorial donations to The First Presbyterian Church of Selma, 301 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36701 or to one's favorite charity.